Virtual Law Practice

Delivering legal services online

New ABA Ethics Opinion on Electronic Communication

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The ABA Standing Committee on Ethics and Prof. Responsibility has published a new ethics opinion, Formal Opinion 11-459 “Duty to Protect the Confidentiality  of E-mail Communications with One’s Client”. I didn’t see this one coming, but I think it’s a move in the right direction. The situation described in the opinion relates to when an attorney has […] ...READ MORE

No New Restrictions On Use of Tech & Client Development

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The ABA Commission on Ethics 20/20 has published for comment its draft proposals on Lawyer’s Use of Technology and Client Development.   Proposed changes relate to Model Rules 1.18 (duty to prospective clients), 7.2 (advertising) and 7.3 (direct contact with prospective clients). Overall, the Commission concludes that no new restrictions need to be added to a […] ...READ MORE

Adapt or Get out of the Way: Standards to Protect Client Property/Confidentiality Change

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Last week during a guest lecture on virtual law practice at the University of Dayton School of Law, the subject of protecting client property and confidentiality of client data in electronic communications came up again.   My prediction (perhaps overly optimistic) is that in the next few years the state bars will recognize that unencrypted email communication between attorney […] ...READ MORE

Ethics Question for the Virtual Attorney

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Practicing online I often receive this question as an ethics challenge to my virtual practice: How can you be sure that the person you are communicating with online is really person you are drafting the documents for? Because I handle estate planning, attorneys who operate more traditional practices express specific concern about the power of […] ...READ MORE

Update on progress

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I have been enjoying the personal contact with clients that I think only can really happen in a small law practice. My clients don’t have to wade through the secretary and paralegals to communicate with me. I’m available 24/7 through the website and I check it at all hours of the day and night which […] ...READ MORE